The FCC is seeking public comment on the idea through April 4, though the big four carriers—T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon—have already committed to launching text-to-911 by May 15 in areas where call centers are equipped to handle those messages. At this stage, it’s just a matter of smoothly integrating “regional, small and rural carriers,” particularly when it comes to liability protection for those companies.

But don’t Snapchat a photo of your burning house and expect the fire apartment to show up, as “interconnected text providers” like WhatsApp present “unique technical complexities” when it comes to implementing 911 access. All the same, the FCC wants to hear some ideas on how to eventually bring “over-the-top” apps aboard. So go ahead and give them an earful—it’s not every day that the federal government asks your opinion.